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August 29 • 8:00 PM |
On Sale Tues 5/24 at
10 am!
An Evening with
Donny Osmond
Monday August 29, 2011
Club Doors @ 6:30 PM
Theatre Doors @ 7:00 PM
Showtime: 8:00 PM
Tickets:
Rows 1-8 = $70.00
Rows 9-25 = $40.00
Seating is in the Round.
•
Visit artist's website »
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Donny was born December 9,
1957 to George and Olive Osmond in Ogden Utah. He is
the seventh of nine children: eight boys and one
girl. The entire Osmond Family have a long and
varied career, which had a humble beginning singing
barbershop harmony on Main Street Disneyland. Soon
thereafter, Donny and his siblings became very
successful teen idols worldwide.
READ MORE
LISTEN HERE
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Celebrity Theatre
440 N 32nd St |
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"One hour per day of study will put you at the
top of your field within three years. Within five years you'll be a national
authority. In seven years, you can be one of the best people in the world at
what you do."—
Earl Nightingale:
motivational author and speaker
"Thinking is easy, acting
is difficult, and to put one's thoughts into action is the most difficult
thing in the world."—
Johann von Goethe
"Three things in human life are
important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third
is to be kind." — Henry James, American author (1843-1916).
THEATRE REVIEW HISTORY
RETURNS TO PHOENIX
DUE TO
POPULAR DEMAND
TWO
PERFORMANCES ONLY!
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4
“Humorous and
lively…the Devil Has Rarely Been Given His
Due More Perceptively!”
THE NEW YORK TIMES
“Wickedly Witty…One Hell
of a Good Show!”
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
“A
Profound Experience!”
CHRISTIANITY TODAY
Chicago,
IL -
THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS,
the provocative and wickedly funny
theatrical adaptation of the C.S. Lewis
novel about spiritual warfare from a demon’s
point of view, will be presented for two
performances only at the
Ikeda Theater, Mesa Arts Center, 1 East Main
Street in Mesa on
Saturday, February 4 at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
The National Tour of
THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS kicked off after a
hit nine-month run at the Westside
Theatre in New York where it played 309
performances. Prior to that, THE
SCREWTAPE LETTERS was a sold out sit
down hit in Chicago and Washington D. C. Now
in second smash year, THE SCREWTAPE
LETTERS’ National Tour continues to
break box office records and has played to
capacity audiences in numerous cities
including Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle,
Atlanta and Dallas.
Associated Press
calls the production “Devilishly funny!” The
Chicago Sun-Times hails THE
SCREWTAPE LETTERS as “Smart, sizzling
entertainment!”
THE
SCREWTAPE LETTERS
creates a topsy turvy morally inverted
universe set in an eerily stylish office in
hell, where God is called the “Enemy” and
the devil is referred to as “Our Father
below.”
The
play follows His Abysmal Sublimity Screwtape,
Satan’s top psychiatrist, played by award
winning actor Max McLean, and his
creature-demon secretary Toadpipe,
as they train an apprentice demon, Wormwood,
on the fine art of seducing an unsuspecting
human “patient” down the “soft, gentle path
to hell.”
Along with
The Chronicles of Narnia
(including
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe),
The Great Divorce and
Mere Christianity,
THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS is
still one of Lewis’ most popular and
influential works. The book's piercing
insight into human nature and the lucid and
humorous way Lewis makes his readers squirm
in self recognition made it an immediate
success. When first published in 1942
it brought worldwide fame to this
little-known Oxford don including the cover
of Time Magazine.
Lewis dedicated it to his close
friend J. R. R. Tolkien who had expressed to
Lewis that delving too deeply into the craft
of evil would have consequences. Lewis
admitted as much when he wrote “Though I had
never written anything more easily, I never
wrote with less enjoyment . . . though it
was easy to twist one’s mind into the
diabolical attitude, it was not fun, or not
for long. The work into which I had to
project myself while I spoke through
Screwtape was all dust, grit, thirst, and
itch. Every trace of beauty, freshness, and
geniality had to be excluded.”
THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS
is produced by New York City based
Fellowship for the Performing Arts. Max
McLean serves as Artistic Director.
Executive Producer and General Manager is
Ken Denison of Aruba Productions. Scenic
Design is by Cameron Anderson, Costumes by
Michael Bevins, Lighting
Design by Jesse Klug, and Original Music and
Sound Design by John Gromada.
The performance
schedule for
THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS
is Saturday, February
4 at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets range
from $29 - $59. There are a limited
number of premium seats available for $89.
For groups of 10 or more (including student
groups) call
866.476.8707.
To purchase tickets, visit
www.ScrewtapeonStage.com,
call
480.644.6500
or visit the Mesa Arts Center, Monday –
Friday from 10:00am to 7:00pm, Saturday from
10:00am to 5:00pm, Sunday from 12:00 noon to
4:00pm and 90 minutes prior to performance
start time.
Theatre
Andy Warhol:
Good for the Jews?
(Actors Theatre)
The Blue Room
(Nearly Naked Theatre)
Grey Gardens
The Musical
(Tempe Little Theatre)
At Home in the
Zoo
(iTheatre Collaborative)
Sex and The
Second City, Version 2.0
(Arizona Theatre Company)
Comedy Show:
Competitive Improv
(National Comedy Theatre Phoenix)
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UPCOMING
"YOU KNOW you wanna see it!"
Running April 22 - May 28,
2011
Hey ladies! Every night is a
Ladies Night Out at The
Full Monty! Make a date with
the girls and join us for this funny
and touching musical. Get a group
together. Groups start at 10 people
- with up to 25% off
the regular ticket price!
BUY NOW
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UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS
"Get out your
GREEN, ladies"
March 17 at 11 a.m.
Enjoy a preview of The
Drowsy Chaperone.
Robert Shaw will join us for a
preview of How Great Thou Art -
The Gospel Music of Elvis.
And be charmed by a special
performance by the Music Box Dance
Studio's Celtic Dance Troupe!
BUY NOW
DeLoach Vineyards
Wine Dinner
Thursday, March 24
BUY NOW
April 16 & 17 at 2 p.m.
From the earliest days of his
boyhood until his untimely death,
gospel music always held a special
place in the heart of Elvis Presley.
Before he became the most famous
entertainer the world has ever
known, as a young man Elvis wanted
nothing more than to sing bass in a
gospel group. Starring Robert Shaw
and a 12-piece band with a gospel
quartet performing such hits as
"Peace In The Valley," "Amazing
Grace," and, of course, the title
track, "How Great Thou Art," you're
sure to find inspiration and lots of
great memories in this wonderful
music. Come and see for yourself why
the Arizona Daily Star says "Shaw's
firm grasp of Presley's powerful
vocals are keeping the King's
spiritual legacy alive."
BUY NOW
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What people are saying
about
The Drowsy Chaperone
"Opening night was great! I really
enjoyed it. Eddie Maldonado is
hysterical!!"
"So great to see the talented Abby
and Geoff
Belliston sharing
the stage. Funny show - something
for everyone. Buy tickets and go see
it!"
"I saw the The Drowsy Chaperone
and I think everyone should order
tickets right away! GREAT JOB, cast,
crew and production staff! What a
fun show! Coming back and bringing
friends!"
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Featured Spotlight: Martha
J. Clarke, Costume
Director
In this edition of ABT
Exposed, we thought it would
be fun to take you behind
the scenes and into the
costume shop to see some of
the design concepts created
for The Drowsy Chaperone
- our current production
running through April 10. So
many elements come together
to make a musical come to
life of the ABT stage, but
possibly none
more noticeably stunning
than the amazing costumes
designed by our
award-winning Costume
Director, Martha J.
Clarke!
Drowsy
Man In Chair
The Pastry Chefs
Mrs. Tottendale
Martha is one of the
original company members of
the Arizona Broadway
Theatre. As the Resident
Designer for ABT, she has
designed costumes for many
of the mainstage
productions, including:
Anything Goes! ('05), Damn
Yankees, How to Succeed...,
La Cage Aux Folles, Crazy
for You, Jeckyll and Hyde,
The Music Man, Cabaret, Guys
and Dolls, A Christmas
Carol, Bye Bye Birdie,
Phantom and CATS. Some
of Martha's most memorable
work was most recently seen
in the classic musical
favorite, My Fair Lady.
Martha serves as the
Internship Coordinator for
Arizona Broadway Theatre and
works with promising
students from high schools
and universities from both
in and outside of Arizona.
Recently, Martha served on a
committee with the Arizona
State Department of
Education and Arizona State
University to establish
Program Standards Validation
for courses in the
Performing Arts and
Entertainment Industries in
Arizona's Public School
System.
She has also served as an
Adjudicator for the Kennedy
Center/American College
Theatre Festival, offering
feedback and mentorship to
students pursuing theatrical
design education in the
state of Arizona.
Martha earned her Bachelors
degree from Linfield College
in McMinnville, Oregon and
her Masters of Fine Arts
from the University of
Montana, in Missoula.
As a student at Linfield
College, she was recognized
nationally for her design of
Stop the World...I Want to
Get Off!
She has taught at several
colleges and universities
around the country,
including Western Oregon
State College (now Western
Oregon University), Western
Washington University,
Alabama State University,
The University of Montana,
Weber State University and
Idaho State University.
She spent nine seasons
designing and running the
costume shop at The Bigfork
Summer Playhouse in Montana,
and has also designed for a
number of companies
including Idaho Repertory
Theatre and Sierra Repertory
Theatre. Martha has also
worked as a draper for The
University of Michigan, The
Alabama Shakespeare Festival
and The Utah Shakespearean
Festival.
Since relocating to Arizona,
Martha has received several
ariZoni nominations for her
work at Arizona Broadway
Theatre, including Best
Costume Design Award for her
design of ABT's 2007
production of
La Cage
Aux Folles.
In 2010, Martha won for her
Costume and Make-up design
for CATS.
Don't miss Martha's
amazing creations in The
Drowsy Chaperone, now
through April 10.
BUY TICKETS NOW
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Fund Development
Matters
We couldn't
do it without you!
Leaving a Legacy
Arizona Broadway Theatre
(ABT) lost a dear friend on
February 1, 2011.
Meredith R. Flinn was a
strong early advocate for
the theatre and a founding
member of the ABT Performing
Arts Association, Inc. Board
of Trustees. It was during
her tenure as the Deputy
City Manager of Peoria,
Arizona that Meredith helped
to find a location for ABT
on Paradise Lane.
Unabashedly, ABT was
Meredith's passion. In
addition to supporting the
theatre's Annual Fund,
Meredith was one of the
first season ticket holders
and attended all of the
theatre's 40 mainstage
productions since it opened
in November 2005. During her
last outings, Meredith's
presence graced ABT's New
Year's Eve Gala and the
opening night of My
Fair Lady on
January 7.
But her final magnanimous
gesture was her wish to join
ABT's philanthropic Legacy
Circle, which honors and
recognizes the foresight and
generosity of individuals
who establishes a deferred
gift to ABT through a
bequest, trust or other
estate planning
provision. Meredith's legacy
gift makes a powerful
statement about her belief
in the valuable role of the
performing arts in people's
lives and in our
communities. It also speaks
to her desire to ensure the
long-term vitality and
sustainability of an
institution she held so
dear.
Arizona Broadway Theatre
thanks and salutes Meredith
Flinn - an extraordinary
woman whose cherished
friendship and dedication to
our theatre will live in
perpetuity.
The Velveteen Rabbit Takes
Center Stage
Due to two generous grant
awards to ABT, The
Velveteen Rabbit will
be focal point of a two-part
program held in Surprise and
Glendale on Tuesday, March
22, and Thursday, March 24.
Based on the classic
children's book by Margery
Williams, the Velveteen
Rabbit is presented with two
options: become
a real rabbit or stay with
his sick friend to help him
get better. Which choice
will he make? At the end of
the adventure, the Velveteen
Rabbit learns that love
makes all things real.
In Surprise: ABT
actors will present a simple
reading of the adapted stage
play at the Countryside
Recreation Center on March
22 at 10 a.m. The
full one-hour performance of
the play will be held on
March 24 at the same time
and place. The
general public can pick up
free tickets at the
Northwest Regional Library
beginning March 14. Seating
is limited to 300 and
tickets are required for
admission.
In Glendale: ABT
actors will present a simple
reading of the adapted stage
play in the Glendale Public
Library Auditorium on March
22 at 4 p.m. The
full one-hour performance of
the play will be held on
March 24 at the same time
and place.
Tickets are required for
admission. The general
public may pick up free
tickets on a first-come,
first-served basis at the
Glendale Public Library 20
minutes before the doors
open for the programs. Individuals
must be in line in order to
get their own
tickets (Holding space in
line or picking up tickets
for others is not allowed). Seating
is limited to 240.
Both programs also have an
art project focusing on The
Velveteen Rabbit. For
more information about the
art component, contact the
Glendale Public Library and
Northwest Regional
Library.
The Surprise programs are
sponsored by a grant award
from the Sun City Rotary
Club Foundation and those in
Glendale by grant funding
from the City of Glendale
and the Glendale Arts
Commission.
Thanks to our ABT sponsors
for their generosity!
Wondering about the ABT
Ticket Donation Policy?
As you know, Arizona
Broadway Theatre is a
not-for-profit 501(c)(3)
organization and must rely
on financial support from
the community-at-large. Yet,
ABT recognizes the same need
exists for other nonprofits
and wants to play an
important role in the
community.
The theatre believes
it should serve as an
example of a good corporate
citizen and neighbor.
Therefore, ABT is pleased to
support other
not-for-profits' fundraising
endeavors to the extent it
is possible.
Because ABT receives several
hundreds of donation
requests each year, the
theatre has implemented a
Philanthropic Donation
Policy by which it
determines the donations it
is able to grant. If
you are interested in
applying for an in-kind
contribution of tickets for
a nonprofit fundraiser,
please
review the policy before
submitting any request.
Go to
www.azbroadway.org
and click on TICKETS on the
left side of the home page.
Open the drop-down
menu and click on TICKET
DONATIONS.
Kindly keep in mind that
ABT is only able to approve
a donation appeal in which
every one of the
specifications is met.
In addition, please
recognize that the theatre
has strict financial
considerations and may be
unable to fulfill every
request.
Best of luck with your
fundraising endeavors!
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STIMULATE
THE ECONOMY AND YOUR FUNNY BONE …
BUY TICKETS TO THE CAPITOL STEPS!
Capitol Steps Nov.
27–28, 2009 Friday @ 8 p.m. and Saturday @ 5 p.m. and 8
p.m. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
The NEW Virginia G.
Piper Theater
Scottsdale Center for the
Performing Arts will present the Capitol Steps on Nov.
27–28. Single tickets are available for $50 from the
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts’ Web site at
www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org or the box office
at (480) 994-ARTS (2787) ext. 2.
Famous
for putting the ‘mock’ in democracy, the Capitol Steps
have become an annual Thanksgiving weekend tradition at
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. The
irreverent group charms audiences on both sides of the
aisle with its unique brand of political humor set to
popular music. While the Steps are renowned for poking
fun at occupants of the White House, no one is safe from
their wickedly funny jabs, from Democrats to Republicans
and from Congress to the Supreme Court.
Depending on the scandal of the day, the Steps will
perform selections from their up-to-the-minute
repertoire, including songs and skits from their latest
albums, Obama Mia and Barackin’ Around the
Christmas Tree, with special ‘guest appearances’ by
President and Nobel Prize winner Barack Obama, Dick
Cheney, Sarah Palin, Nancy Pelosi and many more.
The
Capitol Steps’ performances are sponsored in laughing
memory of Steve Simon by his family and are presented
with support from Marriott Suites Scottsdale Old Town.
Photo
by Keith Stanley of Bari Biern as Sarah Palin
LOCATION AND
PARKING Scottsdale Center for
the Performing Arts is located at 7380 E. Second St. in
downtown Scottsdale, four blocks south of Indian School
Road and three blocks east of Scottsdale Road. Free
parking is available in the public parking garage
located to the west of Scottsdale Center for the
Performing Arts and directly behind Los Olivos
restaurant on Wells Fargo Avenue. Additional free
parking is available at the Old Town Parking Corral at
East Second Street and Brown Avenue and at the Civic
Center Library parking garage located on Drinkwater
Boulevard at East Second Street.
ACCESSIBILITY
Scottsdale Center for the
Performing Arts offers performance accommodations to
enhance audience members’ experience, including:
American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation or live
audio description with two weeks advance notice.
Assisted listening devices and wheelchair seating are
always available. Visit the Scottsdale Center for the
Performing Arts’ Web site at
www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org or contact the
patron services box office at (480) 994-ARTS ext. 2 [TDD:
(480) 874-4694] for further details. Please inquire
about services when ordering tickets.
GROUP AND STUDENT DISCOUNTS
Attend with family and friends, or bring a group from
your business, civic or religious organization. Save $3
per ticket and at least $30 in handling fees when
purchasing 15 or more tickets to the same event (subject
to availability; some restrictions apply). Instead of
$2.50 per single ticket, the handling fee is only $7.50
total for group orders. Full-time students may purchase
half-price tickets one hour before events/performances
(subject to availability; limit one single ticket per
full-time student; some restrictions apply). Must
present current valid student I.D. in person at the
patron services box office. No phone orders.
SCOTTSDALE
CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Opened in 1975, Scottsdale Center for the
Performing Arts presents a dynamic, culturally diverse
season of dance, jazz, classical and world music,
theater and satire. Approximately 2,000 performances,
educational programs, festivals and other events are
showcased annually serving more than 300,000 people and
contributing substantially to Scottsdale’s high quality
of life and vibrant arts scene. Performances take place
in the Center’s newly renovated 853-seat Virginia G.
Piper Theater and 137-seat Stage 2 as well as the
2,000-seat amphitheater on the grounds of the Scottsdale
Civic Center Mall. The Center’s youth education and
outreach programs reach more than 50,000 school children
each year, and its free events are available to the
entire public. The Center also produces the
award-winning Scottsdale Arts Festival every March;
Sunday A’Fair, a series of free outdoor music festivals
held on Sunday afternoons from January to April; and
Native Trails, a collaboration with the Fort McDowell
Yavapai Nation and the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors
Bureau that features free demonstrations of Native
American arts and culture from January to April. Opening
in fall 2009, the Center Bistro by Arcadia Farms
features pre- and post-show menus. Open daily and during
performances, The Store @ Scottsdale Center for the
Performing Arts offers hand-crafted jewelry, accessories
for the home, imaginative toys, recordings, books,
greeting cards and more.
The
Scottsdale Cultural Council, a private nonprofit
501(c)(3) organization, is contracted by the City of
Scottsdale, Ariz., to administer certain City arts and
cultural projects and to manage the City-owned
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale
Museum of Contemporary Art and Scottsdale Public Art
Program. The programs of the Scottsdale Cultural Council
are made possible, in part, by the support of members
and donors and grants received from the Arizona
Commission on the Arts through appropriations from the
Arizona State Legislature and the National Endowment for
the Arts.
HOLY ANNIVERSARY! “LATE
NITE CATECHISM” CELEBRATES NINE YEARS IN SCOTTSDALE!
AriZoni
Award-winning actress Patti Hannon celebrates nine years
performing as Sister in the “Late Nite Catechism”
comedies at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.
"Late Nite Catechism”
Performed weekly, Fridays @ 8 p.m.
(starting June 12, 2009) “Late Nite Catechism III:
’Til Death Do Us Part” Performed weekly,
Saturdays @ 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Stage 2(SCOTTSDALE,
Ariz.) – The “Late Nite Catechism” comedies have been a
habit in Scottsdale for a record-breaking nine seasons! To
celebrate this milestone, Scottsdale Center for the
Performing Arts is bringing back the original “Late Nite
Catechism” by popular demand for a limited summer engagement
on Friday evenings at 8 p.m. starting June 12. With a newly
updated script, “Late Nite Catechism III: ’Til Death Do Us
Part” will also run throughout the summer on Saturdays at 2
p.m. and 8 p.m. All performances will take place in
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Art’s intimate Stage 2
theater.
Single
tickets are available for $36 from the Scottsdale Center for
the Performing Arts Web site at
www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org or the box office at
(480) 994-ARTS (2787).
Spontaneous, witty and fun, “Late Nite Catechism” is an
interactive show starring AriZoni Award-winning actress
Patti Hannon as tart-tongued Sister. Ruling her classroom
with an iron fist, she teaches her students – who happen to
be the audience – everything she knows about sins and saints
while dolling out rewards and reprimands with lightning
speed.
In the
series’ latest class, “Late Nite Catechism III: ’Til Death
Do Us Part,” Sister offers up even more, including the
latest dogma fresh off the Web, some hilarious lessons on
love and marriage and her own outrageous version of “The
Newlywed Game.” Each “Late Nite” performance is unique and
will appeal to people of all ages and faiths.
“Late Nite
Catechism” debuted at Scottsdale Center for the Performing
Arts in June 2000 and became an overnight sensation. Since
then, more than 150,000 people have seen “Late Nite
Catechism” and its other popular sequels, which include
“Late Nite Catechism II: Sometimes We Feel Guilty Because We
Are Guilty” and “Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery
of the Magi’s Gold.” Hannon has performed the role of Sister
in all of the Scottsdale productions.
LOCATION
AND PARKINGScottsdale Center for
the Performing Arts is located at 7380 E. Second St. in
downtown Scottsdale, four blocks south of Indian School Road
and three blocks east of Scottsdale Road. The amphitheater
is located on the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall at 75th
Street and Main Street. Free parking is available in the
public parking garage located to the west of Scottsdale
Center for the Performing Arts on Wells Fargo Avenue.
Additional free parking is available at the Old Town Parking
Corral at East Second Street and Brown Avenue and at the
Civic Center Library parking garage located on Drinkwater
Boulevard at East Second Street.
ACCESSIBILITYScottsdale Center for
the Performing Arts offers performance accommodations to
enhance audience members’ experience, including: American
Sign Language (ASL) interpretation or live audio description
with two weeks advance notice. Assisted listening devices
and wheelchair seating are always available. Visit the
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts’ Web site at
www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org or contact the box
office at (480) 994-ARTS [TDD: (480) 874-4694] for further
details. Please inquire about services when ordering
tickets.
GROUP
DISCOUNTSA $3 discount per ticket
is available for groups of 15 or more (subject to
restriction and limitation). Call (480) 874-4690 for more
information.
STUDENT
DISCOUNTSStudents with valid
student identification may purchase half-price tickets
(subject to availability; limit one per student) 72 hours
before any performance at the Scottsdale Center for the
Performing Arts box office. Tickets must be purchased
in-person; phone orders are not accepted.
SCOTTSDALE
CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTSOpened
in 1975, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts presents
a dynamic, culturally diverse season of dance, jazz,
classical and world music, theater and satire. Approximately
1,000 performances, educational programs, festivals and
other events are showcased annually serving more than
300,000 people and contributing substantially to
Scottsdale’s high quality of life and vibrant arts scene.
Performances take place in the Center’s 838-seat Virginia G.
Piper Theater (closed for renovation during the 2008–09
season) and 136-seat Stage 2 as well as the 2,000-seat
amphitheater on the grounds of the Scottsdale Civic Center
Mall and the 326-seat Theater 4301 in the Galleria Corporate
Centre. The Center’s youth education and outreach programs
reach more than 40,000 school children each year, and its
free programs are available to the entire public. Scottsdale
Center for the Performing Arts also produces the popular
Scottsdale Arts Festival every March; Sunday A’Fair, a
series of free outdoor music festivals held on Sunday
afternoons from January to April; and Native Trails, a
collaboration with the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation and the
Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau that features free
demonstrations of Native American arts and culture from
January to April. Open daily and during performances, The
Store @ Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts offers
hand-crafted jewelry, accessories for the home, toys for
imaginative young minds, recordings, books, greeting cards
and more.
The
Scottsdale Cultural Council, a private nonprofit 501(c)(3)
organization, is contracted by the City of Scottsdale,
Arizona, to administer certain City arts and
cultural projects and to manage the City-owned Scottsdale
Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of
Contemporary Art and Scottsdale Public Art Program. The
programs of the Scottsdale Cultural Council are made
possible, in part, by the support of members and donors and
grants received from the Arizona Commission on the Arts
through appropriations from the Arizona State Legislature
and the National Endowment for the Arts.
HOW
TO REACH US Scottsdale Center for
the Performing Arts 7380 East Second Street Scottsdale, AZ
85251 Box Office: (480) 994- ARTS (2787) TDD: (480) 874-4694
Web:
www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org
OFF-BROADWAY HIT MY
FIRST TIME
OPENS AT THEATER 4301
My First Time
Feb.
13–March 15, 2009
Thursday @ 7:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday @ 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
matinees @ 2 p.m.
Theater 4301, Galleria Corporate Centre, Scottsdale
(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.) – Scottsdale Center for the
Performing Arts will present the hit Off-Broadway comedy
My First Time from Feb. 13–March 15, 2009, at
Theater 4301 in downtown Scottsdale. The performances
are presented with support from Leslie Dashew and Jack
Salisbury.
Single tickets are
available for $38 through the Scottsdale Center for the
Performing Arts’ Web site at
www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org or the box office
at (480) 994-ARTS (2787).
An acclaimed new
play in the style of The Vagina Monologues, My
First Time features four actors telling real stories
– from the hysterical to the heartbreaking – about first
sexual experiences. In 1998, nearly a decade before the
rise of blogging, a Web site was created that allowed
people to anonymously share their own stories about
their “First Times.” The site became an instant
phenomenon with more than 40,000 stories pouring in from
around the globe that were silly, sweet, absurd, funny,
straight, gay, shy, sexy and everything in between.
These true stories and all of the unique characters in
them are brought to life in this unforgettable play
written by Ken Davenport and starring Valley actors
Roxanne Garcia, Vi Flaten, Joshua Yeatts and Dion
Johnson.
These performances
contain adult themes and language.
|
Patti
Hannon stars as Sister in the all-new comedy
Late Nite Catechism III: 'Til Death Do Us
Part
opening October 2, 2008, at
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts(480) 994-ARTS (2787) or online at
www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org
|
Arizona Shakespeare
Festival
September 6, 2008 -
November 2, 2008
This
year, the Arizona
Shakespeare Festival
will be traveling
Arizona, performing
"As You Like It" by
William Shakespeare
9/6-Patagonia-4pm
9/7-Sierra Vista-4pm
9/13-Prescott
Valley-11am
9/14-Prescott-5pm
9/20-Williams-2pm
9/21-Payson-4pm
9/27-Showlow-4pm
9/28-Flagstaff-2pm
10/4-Arcosanti-5pm
10/5-Phoenix-4pm
10/11-Scottsdale-4pm
10/12-Mesa-4pm
10/19-Surprise-2pm
10/24-Orme School-4pm
10/25-Bullhead City-10am
10/25-Kingman-2:30pm
10/26-Lake Havasu-3:30pm
11/1-Anthem/No.
Valley-3pm
11/2-Tucson-2pm
For more information,
www.azshakes.com. |
Review:
“Rent” is not for
everybody. But it is for
you, it’s a delight. The
National Touring Company
of “Rent” opened at Sun
City’s Maricopa County
Events Center (Sundome)
Saturday May 10th
with a mixed
audience containing
“Rent Heads” who follow
the production and cheer
heartily. And there were
a few seniors not ready
for the operetta based
on "La Boheme" that so
openly addresses AIDS
and homosexuality, who
walked out after the
first act. (Or maybe the
theatre temperature was
too cold, or they
couldn’t hear the words,
as was told to this
reviewer.)
"American Idol" finalist
Anwar Robinson and South
African "Idol" winner
Heinz Winckler are
making their theatrical
debuts in the show were
outstanding. And
Jennifer Talton, who
brings the show's Mimi
to life with an
incredible voice that
fills the theatre with
emotion is wonderful.
Rent ran on Broadway for
over a decade. The
National Tour has been
on the road and their
schedule can be found at
http://www.siteforrent.com/tourschedule
. Only 4 shows in
Phoenix. We have what we
call 'Rent heads' who
follow the show; we have
some really loyal fans
and it's great to see
those familiar faces,"
said Talton.
This cast does a
phenomenal job of
singing a challenging
script with some extreme
choreography. How they
can still sing with all
of that dance and
gymnastics is amazing.
And they sing very
well. So if you get the
opportunity check it
out!
The Theatrical
Experience that Changed
Broadway Forever
Featuring South
African Idol Winner
Heinz Winckler and
American Idol
Finalist Anwar Robinson
in the National Tour of
RENT
The 2007-2008 national
touring production of
RENT features
Heinz Winckler as Roger
Davis and Anwar Robinson
as Tom Collins. The Tony
Award and Pulitzer Prize
winning Broadway musical
RENT,
written by Jonathan
Larson and directed by
Michael Greif, is coming
to the Maricopa County
Events Center, 19403 RH
Johnson Blvd in
Sun City West for four
performances,
Saturday May 10th
at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm
and Sunday May 11th
at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm.
Tickets for all
performances will go on
sale Sunday March 30th
at 10:00 am. Tickets
are $30, $40 and $50 and
may be purchased online
at
www.ticketmaster.com
or by phone at
480-784-4444.
Tickets
will also be available
at the Maricopa County
Events Center Box
Office, Tue.- Sat. 10 am
– 4 pm. For group
sales, call
480-218-9332.
Winckler was the winner
of the first South
African Idol in 2002
and the 4th
place finalist in the
2003 inaugural World
Idol competition, in
which he competed
against American Idol
winner Kelly Clarkson.
Robinson was the 7th
place finalist on the 4th
season of American
Idol.
On stage, Winckler
played Tony in the
Toronto production of
West Side Story.
Winckler has recorded
three hit albums with
Sony BMG, including:
One Step Closer, Come
Alive (both South
African Music Award
“SAMA” nominees for
“best pop album”) and
Moment of Truth.
His song, “Once in a
Lifetime,” was a “SAMA”
nominee for “best
single.” He performed
the song “Chasing
Shadows” for the Walt
Disney movie,
Treasure Planet, and
participated in the
Westlife Greatest Hits
Tour in South Africa.
Winckler has received
the People
Magazine Award for
“Hottest Hunk,”
“South Africa’s Hottest
Artist” and “Best Male
Personality.” He was
also featured in
Cosmopolitan’s “Sexy
Man Calendar.”
Robinson will make his
stage debut in this
touring production of
RENT.
American audiences
will recall Robinson as
the Music Teacher who
was rocketed to
television stardom on
season four of the
pop-culture phenomenon
American Idol.
His vocal range quickly
landed him a coveted
spot in Idol’s
Top 10, where
Judge Paula Abdul touted
him as “technically
the best singer of the
competition.”
Robinson has toured the
country as part of the
Idols Live show.
The New Jersey native
has worked and appeared
with a number of music
icons, including Clive
Davis, Patti Labelle,
Kelly Price, Byron Cage
and Pastor Donnie
McClurkin. Robinson
recently released his
debut album, The
Truth About Love.
Critics have
called RENT
“the best thing
that has happened to the
Broadway musical in a
long time,” and have
said that RENT
“justifies every bit of
attention that has been
lavished on this
phenomenal musical.”
“It shimmers with hope
for the future of the
American musical.”
The New
York Times. RENT
is the theatrical
experience that
transformed how a
generation feels about
musicals, changed
Broadway forever, and
inspired a major motion
picture. Set in
the East Village of New
York City, Rent
is about being young and
learning to survive,
falling in love, finding
your voice and living
for today. RENT
has made a lasting
mark on Broadway with
songs that rock and a
story that really
resonates.
The show received its
world premiere
off-Broadway at New York
Theatre Workshop on
February 13, 1996 to
ecstatic reviews. It
rapidly became a
sold-out hit. The show
transferred to Broadway
on April 29, 1996 where
it continues to play at
The Nederlander
Theatre. RENT
is now the 7th
longest running show in
Broadway history. The
success of RENT
is always tempered by
the death of its
creator, Jonathan
Larson. Larson died
unexpectedly of an
aortic aneurysm on the
morning of January 25,
1996, just hours after
Rent’s final
dress rehearsal
off-Broadway, and ten
days before his 36th
birthday.
RENT
features
musical direction by Tim
Weil, choreography by
Marlies Yearby, set
design by Paul Clay,
costume design by Angela
Wendt and lighting
design by Blake Burba.
The 2007/08 Broadway on
the Boulevard Series is
sponsored by
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THE
INTENSE PLAY "EXTREMITIES"
BASED ON A TRUE STORY
Marjorie
(Robin Austin) is attacked in her own home by Raul (Ryan Nelson)
in the intense play "Extremities" produced by Theater Works.
The show runs in the McMillin Black Box Theater at the Peoria
Center for the Performing Arts, Feb.
22-24, Feb. 28-March 2 and March 6-9.
"William Mastrosimone wrote his play to fill in a blank," says
Theater Works Artistic Director Robyn Allen. In May 1978 the
playwright met a 55-year old woman he calls Mary. She was raped
the night before, and for some reason needed to tell someone,
even a stranger like Mastrosimone - about her ordeal. Mastrosimone
befriended Mary and followed her case through the trial, where
the 19-year-old rapist sat quietly in a three-piece suit, white
shirt and tie. When he was cross-examined he made amusing
remarks. The jury laughed.
While evidence was
presented that Mary was raped, there wasn't enough to convince
the jury the defendant was the rapist. Acquitted, the rapist
walked behind Mary on the courthouse steps and said, "If you
think that was bad, wait until next time."
Mary became consumed
with fear. She slept with the light on, next to the phone with
a butcher knife. But it was too much. She quit her job, lost
her pension and bought a one-way ticket to the opposite coast.
Mary stopped to thank Mastrosimone for his support before she
left.
"Mary recounted something about the rape that had haunted her -
how there was a moment when she could have kicked the rapist in
the groin, but didn't," explains Allen. "She was brought up not
to hurt people or she feared if she didn't hurt him enough he
would kill her. With Mary not taking a stand the rapist lit a
cigarette and raped her again. Then beat her with a lamp."
Mary told Mastrosimone
she would think of that moment the rest of her life and
fantasize about hurting her attacker, of getting "real justice."
She told him, "If I had five minutes in a locked room with him
now_____" and never finished her sentence.
"The production you
will see at Theater Works, finished her sentence," proclaims
Allen.
Don't miss Theater
Works' extraordinary presentation of an intellectually
stimulating evening of theater. The cast includes Robin Austin,
Ryan Nelson, Chanel Bragg and Heather Cambanes. "Extremities"
is directed by Richard Hardt. Robyn Allen serves as the Theater
Works' Artistic Director and Levy Antal is Executive Director
and Producer.
Tickets are now on
sale at the Peoria Center for Performing Arts, 8355 W. Peoria,
or by calling 623-815-7930. They can also be purchased on line
at
www.theaterworks.org . Tickets are $16.00. The
show will run February 22-24, Feb 28-March 2 and March 6-9.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
Desert Foothills Theater Pokes Fun at Romance
With
I Love You, You’re Perfect,
Now Change
Desert
Foothills Theater (DFT), a division of the Foothills Community
Foundation, continues its season in February with its Main Stage
Show, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. The
schedule follows:
Written by
playwright/lyricist Joe DiPietro and composer Jimmy Roberts, the
show was a surprise hit of the 1996-97 Broadway Theater season.
DFT’s production is directed by Sara Bernstein with musical
direction by Flora Mogerman. Although there is no plotline per
se, the songs and sketches nonetheless trace the evolution of
male-female relationships, from caveman days in the prologue to
the joys of single life in Act One, and then the rather
different joys of married life in Act Two. This production
includes adult topics and language.
Now in its
33rd year, Desert Foothills Theater has been honored with 64
ariZoni award Nominations (five in 2006-2007 for A
Grand Night for Singing). For information, visit
www.desertfoothillstheater.com , or call 480-488-1981.
At the Cactus
Shadows Fine Arts Center, 33606 N. 60th Street, in North
Scottsdale (60th Street
south of the Carefree Highway). Now through
Sun., Feb. 17th, 2008: Main
Stage Show: I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change at
7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. depending on show date. Tickets range from
$7 to $18 depending on show date.
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The
Oldest Profession Review Opening
Night Jan 5, 2008
By LeeAnn Sharpe
The Algonquin Theater
Company presents “The Oldest Profession”, Paula Vogel’s pert and
passionate play, directed by Robert Harper at Phoenix Theatre’s
Little Theatre, January 4-20, 2008,
Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday matinees.
First, I must be honest and
qualify myself as a lifetime fan of Ms.Gaston. So know I will be
biased about anything she does. But from what I hear and see,
I’m not the only one. A lifetime of acting, directing and
teaching reveal a professional performance, second only to her
charisma and beauty, now more pronounced than ever.
Pulitzer Prize winning
Playwright Vogel describes “The Oldest Profession” as her only
pattern play. She is successful in the overlay of painful
experiences with humor. Five acts set in a New York City park
in the early 1980’s follows the lives of five over-the-hill
hookers sitting on a bench near the Broadway and 72nd Street
subway station. Their enterprise not only continues to lose
customers, but its own members. And so, the five "blackbirds"
become four, then three, then two until only one is left, and
the park bench scenes end with a song from the last departed,
reminiscent of their New Orleans bordello days long past.
Costumes slip back to cinched up bordello bustiers and sexy
stockings, a wardrobe that took guts for these actresses to
wear, especially in such and intimate theatre setting.
The award winning cast of five thoroughly professional
actresses, who manage to be funny and emerge as real people who
tug at our heartstrings, include Mae (Sharon Collar), Edna
(Jacqueline Gaston), Ursula (Barbara McGrath), Lillian (Judy
Rollings), Vera (Jo Ann Yeoman) and Piano Man (Toby Yatso).
Director is Robert Kolby Harper.
Scene One: A sunny day in
October, one week before the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980
features "Love for Sale" by Cole Porter sung by Lillian (Judy
Rollings). Scene Two: A week later, a day with a hint of winter
and "I Am Built for Comfort, I Am Not Built for Speed" by
Chester Burnett sung by Mae (Sharon Collar). After
Intermission, Scene Three: Three months later, a chilly winter's
day "If I Can't Sell It, I'll Sit on it, 'Cause I'm not Going to
Give it Away" by Hill/Razaf sung by Ursula (Barbara McGrath).
Scene Four: A crisp day in summer, several months later. And
last Scene Five: Many months later with "Come Up and See Me
Sometime" by Johnny Mercer and Robert Emmett Dolan sung by Edna
(Jacqueline Gaston). And the finale is "On the Sunny Side of the
Street" by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields sung by Vera (Jo Ann
Yeoman).
Photo L-R Jacqueline Gaston, JoAnn Yeoman, Sharon Collar, Judy Rollings,
& Barbara McGrath.
Sharon Collar (Mae) has a
long and varied career in theatre, film and television. Her
professionalism served her well when opening night flubs, she
confessed, resulted in “minor on the fly rewrites to the
script.” This reviewer never noticed, and the mark of a great
actress was it never showed in the performance and her fellow
actresses never revealed the rewrites either. Mae is the Madam
at the start of the show and manages the finances of all the
ladies, who plied their trade above Zabar’s on the Upper West
Side of Manhattan. Collar portrays her as a caring madam
concerned for her ladies long term safety and well being. They
live pretty well under her wing, but regret their diminishing
clientele, as the old gents die or move to Florida. They
consider advertising in The Village Voice or getting the AARP
Mailing List. In the end, Mae must cope with Alzheimer’s.
Judy Rollings (Lillian)
Judy is a founding member of Actors Theatre of Phoenix and
served as its Artistic Director for nine years. She is presently
Director of the Lunch Time Theatre at the Herberger Theater
Center. Lillian an aspiring actress, is the first to die,
surprising the other ladies as they never expected her to be the
first to go. She reappears in spirit as the others follow.
Rollings has a great voice and kicks off the first musical
number in the show "Love for Sale".
Barbara McGrath (Ursula)
first acting at age nine, has been acting, teaching, and
directing in the Valley for over thirty years, and has received
four ariZoni awards. Her character Ursula is Mae’s antagonist,
and is thrilled to take over when Mae departs. Her investment
scheme has Edna and Vera irate, knowing their retirement is
lost. McGrath portrays Ursula’s all business know it all
ambition well.
Jacqueline Gaston (Edna) an
actress since age three with over 200 shows in the Valley, a
Charter Member of the Algonquin Company. She says, “I thought I
was auditioning for a different part. When I learned I would be
singing and dancing at my age… well I figured it's my last
shot.” Gaston’s portrayal of Edna brought balance and stability
to the production. Edna played off each character, especially
when the cast had been whittled down to just Edna and Vera.
Their interaction was truly sad and bittersweet; seeing even
McDonald’s had no place for an old hooker when the manager finds
her "May I help you?" too seductive.
JoAnn Yeoman (Vera) Yeoman
is a Professor of Practice and Musical Theater Specialist at ASU
and also works with the Arizona AGMA ensemble, the Sonoran
Desert Chorale. and can be heard as co-host of KBAQ's ASU in
Concert. Vera is the slower quiet one of the group, but the
last to go. Her life reaches the depths of poverty and brings to
light the plight of the homeless and unappreciated in society.
Yeoman brings a deep and beautiful tenderness to a woman whose
life had been hard and desperate in the end. She had chances for
stability when she gets a proposal, but makes the mistake of
inviting the man’s daughters to the ceremony. They quickly whisk
him into a retirement home. Yeoman’s beautiful powerful and
sensitive voice was the perfect finale.
Toby Yatso (Piano Man)
recently finished graduate work in musical theatre, music theory
and bassoon performance at ASU. His piano and few lines carried
the production well from scene to scene.
Vogel uses the characters
to send a message of elderly prostitutes as a way to talk of the
economic situation of women in a male society, the need for
security in old age, the fears of death and change, and the
age-old notion that a woman's best, and sometimes only,
bargaining chip is her body. The characters reminisce about
their past in New Orleans’ famed red-light district, Storyville,
when courtesy and elegant houses with piano players were the
order of the day. They lived well and cared for one another. But
now they needed to be responsible for themselves and the result
of not doing so was the sad desperation of an elderly homeless
woman.
I very much enjoyed this
production of The Algonquin Theater Company’s “The Oldest
Profession” and encourage all to attend. Rated for “adults”
subject matter.
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Football: The Musical
by Alexx Stuart opens this week! (Darknight Productions)
Cast
is: Charlie LeSueur – Gilbert – plays Coach Knute Figgins,
Rebecca Kalk – Mesa – plays the ex-Stripper owner’s wife,
Flopsy Jetsam – later returns as Deputy Bernie Fife, Matt
Morgan – Laveen – plays the Quarterback, Dash Upright,
Denise Kelleher – Fountain Hills – plays the head
cheerleader, Bitzy Dreems, Garry Myers – Mesa – plays the
lineman, Lumbo Drumm, Jori Dodge – Glendale – plays the
owner’s assistant, Pilar Strunk
Grimaldi’s
Pizzeria – 4000 N.
Scottsdale Road – doors open at 6:30 PM - January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31- $40
plus tax for dinner, show and gratuity
The Encore Room at Arizona
Broadway Theatre – 7701 W.
Paradise Lane, Peoria -
January 6 – doors open at
noon January 13, 19, 20, 27
– doors open at 5:30 PM
$41.25 plus tax for dinner,
show and gratuity
Tickets available online at
www.darknightproductions.us or calling 480-595-7346.
Football:
The Musical
by Alexx Stuart – a hysterical interactive mystery show – 12
song parodies help to tell the story of the losing Arizona
Wallaby’s football team who lost it’s owner to a tragic
heart attack. He left the ownership of the team to his
ex-stripper wife who changes the team name to the Arizona
Hummingbirds and creates new uniforms more to her liking.
The Hummingbirds hope to make it to the Super Duper Bowl
game but only can get there if the owner is out of the way.
Deputy Bernie Fife comes on the scene to solve the crime of
the kidnapping of the owner. See if you can help get the
Hummingbirds get to the Super Duper Bowl and help Fife solve
the crime. Full of local humor and clever song parodies.
Even non-football lovers will enjoy this!
Diedre Kaye - Darknight Productions -
Comedy,
Mystery and Music with Dinner -
480-595-7346 -
www.darknightproductions.us
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Review of COYOTE DREAMS: A VERY ARIZONA CHRISTMAS
By LeeAnn
Sharpe
Last Christmas I enjoyed "Coyotes Dreams: A Very Arizona
Christmas" and wrote my review here
Story
Link
Once again husband
and wife team of playwright Alexx Stuart and director Diedre
Kaye re-launch their successful holiday show, “Coyote Dreams: A
VERY Arizona Christmas” about a Minnesota couple who contemplate
a move to Arizona. Alexx and Diedre are both from Minnesota, so
Alexx wrote 20 song parodies of popular carols to tell humorous
stories about Arizona from the perspective of newcomers. Music
Direction by Kevin Glenn. Special Performance on
Thursday, December 11th in Carefree at Los
Portales Mall – 7:30 PM (doors open at 7:00 – caroling
at 7:15) Show only. Tickets are $15.00 General
seating. All
remaining performances in The Encore Room at Arizona
Broadway Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria.
Dinner, show, tax, gratuities – all inclusive for
$48.50. Reservations required at 623-776-8400 or online
at
www.azbroadwaytheatre.com
(additional fee for internet sales)
-
Saturday,
December 13th at 7:00 PM
-
Sunday,
December 14th at 12:30 PM
-
Friday,
December 26th at 6:30 PM
-
Saturday,
December 27th at 12:30 PM
-
Saturday,
December 27th at 6:30 PM
-
Sunday, December 28th at
12:30 PM
The
laughs are non-stop with every aspect of Arizona covered. The
six actors take on various roles and take us on a journey around
the state. Stuart wrote some very creative lyrics to traditional
holiday tunes including, “Have Yourself a Tacky Tombstone
Christmas”, “Oh Little Town Built by Del Webb”, “Santa Baby”
sung by a jail bird inviting Sheriff Joe Arpaio to “come on down
to my cell tonight”. And Sun City seniors would enjoy "Silver
Hairs," to the tune of Silver Bells. Arizona students can
appreciate "All I Want for Christmas is No AIMS Testing." He
takes plenty of swings at Arizona sports as well. Attend only if
you are ready for good laughs!
Cast Photo Front Row - Lindsay
Urbank (Glendale) as Lena Johnson, Wade Moran (Tempe) as Carl
Johnson, Back Row from left to right - Harriet Fusaro (Sun City
West) as Greta, Kevin Young (Peoria) as Omar, Heather Cambanes
(Phoenix) as Brittany, Mike DeBusk (Phoenix) as Myke. Josiah
Laubenstein (Scottsdale) is also in the cast playing the role of
Myke but is only performing in The Encore Room at Arizona Broadway
Theatre.
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Menopause
The Musical
Returns by Popular Demand to Scottsdale's Theater 4301
The international hit show Menopause The Musical®, The
Hilarious Celebration of Women and The Change®, is returning by
popular demand for a limited run at the Theater 4301 at the
Galleria Corporate Centre on
January 10.
The ensemble production features four women at a department
store's lingerie sale with nothing in common but a black lace
bra and hot flashes, night sweats, memory loss, chocolate
binges, not enough sex, too much sex, and more. A joyful parody
of 25 re-lyricized classic baby boomer hits, the 90-minute show
features chart-toppers including "I Heard It Thru the
Grapevine You No Longer See 39," "Puff, My God I¹m
Draggin,'' "and the disco favorite "Stayin' Awake! Stayin'
Awake!"
The
Scottsdale cast includes several popular, local actresses
including Oregena Rose as Professional Woman; Patty Davis as
Soap Star; and Katherine Todd as Understudy. The cast is rounded
out with P.J. Jenkinson as Earth Mother and Jeannette Manor as
Iowa Housewife. Menopause The Musical® is directed by
Kathryn Conte and choreographed by Patty Bender with musical
direction by Alan Plado.
Tickets for Menopause The Musical® are $42.50 and can be
purchased at the Box Office or by calling (480) 994-ARTS (2787).
Group discounts are available by calling 888-MTM-TKTS, #11
(888-686-8587). Theater 4301 at the Galleria Corporate Centre is
located at 5th Ave. and Drinkwater Blvd. in downtown Scottsdale.
Show times are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Fridays at 8 p.m.;
Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Since its first show in a tiny, 76-seat perfume-shop-converted
theatre in the former Church Street Exchange on March 28, 2001,
Menopause The Musical® has launched a women¹s movement
that has superseded entertainment and become a must-see event.
It is estimated that nearly 9 million women have attended a
performance since the show¹s opening in Orlando, Fla., in 2001.
Inspired by a hot flash and a bottle of wine, writer/producer
Jeanie Linders, an Orlando, Fla. resident, created the show as a
celebration of women who are on the brink of, in the middle of,
or have survived The Change. Since its first performance, the
show has evolved as a "grassroots" movement of women who deal
with life after 40 and all the challenges that result from the
mental, physical, and spiritual freedom of the post-WWII baby
boomer generation.
"Most women know intuitively that every other woman is
experiencing hot flashes or night sweats,"says Linders. "There
is always a close friend or two who can sympathize or identify
with her, but when they are sitting in a theatre with 420 other
women, all laughing and shouting’ 'That's me! That¹s me on
stage!' they know what they are experiencing is normal. They
aren¹t alone or crazy. It becomes a sisterhood."
Menopause The Musical® has entertained audiences across the
country in more than 100 cities including Atlanta, Baltimore,
Boston, Chicago, Danville (KY), Detroit, Indianapolis,
Jacksonville, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Milwaukee,
New Haven (CT), New York, Orlando, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia,
Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Syracuse
(NY), Tampa, Upland (CA), and West Palm Beach, as well as
internationally in 12 countries including Australia, Canada,
Ireland, Israel, Italy, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines,
United Kingdom, South Africa, and South Korea. Each week nearly
35,000 women of all ages and stages find their spirits lifted by
the show¹s light-hearted look at menopause. It is estimated that
nearly 9 million women have attended a performance since the
show¹s opening in Orlando, Fla., in 2001.
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Review of Alice Cooper’s 7th
Annual Christmas Pudding Concert
a fund raiser for the Rock Teen Center
by LeeAnn Sharpe
It’s almost 1am and I just got home from the 7th
Annual Christmas Pudding Concert by Alice Cooper. What a show!
Alice calls all of his friends and they turn out for what has to
be one of the best rock shows in Phoenix this year! Starting at
7:30pm it was over 4 hours of incredible jams. My hands are sore
from clapping so much!
The
finale with Alice Cooper & Band had the place hopping, but then
when he brought out all of the performers to sing “Santa Claus
is Coming to Town”, the crowd went wild.
Jordin
Sparks, the 2007 American Idol Winner, and her band (two
guitarists and back up singers) shared her hit “Tattoo” and a
new song she wrote “Virginia is for Lovers” as well as the duet
from her album, “No Air” she says will be her next single
release.
CTA with Danny Seraphin & Marc Bonilla belted out all of the top
hits from Chicago days. Danny’s drum solos were an example of
how years of experience can out perform youthful exuberance. I
remember hearing him years ago and he is so much more exciting
now!
Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers rocked the joint with hit after
hit. You can see why this Tempe band is
the only independent band to have five
consecutive top-10 albums on the Billboard Internet Sales Chart.
Flo &
Eddie of The Turtles flooded the audience with memories of
“Happy Together” and “She’d Rather Be with Me” and more. The
generational gap was evident as the parents all knew the lyrics
and the kids giggled at their parent’s enthusiasm. By the end
they had the entire audience on their feet singing along.
Whiskey Falls provided al little country. "Proof is in the
Pudding" Winners Brewed to Perfection and Shaun Patrick Moe
performed with the hope that their future will follow the
footsteps of former “Pudding” winner Jordin Sparks.
Rock Demarco "The World's Fastest Painter" demonstrated his
talent and creating a work of art in minutes on stage. The
painting was latter sold along with an autographed guitar for
$13,000. Two other guitars sold for $8,000 each.
Destiny Dancers led by Cheryl Cooper opened the show with a
variety of talented dancers showcasing their dance styles.
Videos were shown, as the stage was being reset for each act,
highlighted past “Christmas Puddings” with each year raising
more and more bucks for the Solid Rock Foundation. Last year
Funds are slated for the Rock, a Teen Center. Groundbreaking is
anticipated for the coming year at the present rate of fund
acquisition. The website
www.alicecoopersolidrock.com tells the entire story of how
Solid Rock needs to raise 7.3 million for the 29,000 sq ft
facility which will be located on the campus of Grand Canyon
University at 33rd Avenue and Camelback. It will reach out to
youth and teenagers in the surrounding community and throughout
the whole valley. Panorama Hills Newspaper will have continuing
articles about the Rock’s progress and how you can help with not
only donations of cash and equipment, but mentoring skills as
well. |
Review of Andre Bocelli Glendale
Jobbing.com Arena Dec 14, 2007
by LeeAnn Sharpe
Glendale’s Jobbing.com Arena was the venue for Andre Bocelli
December 14th, 2007.
What a
voice. He filled the arena with such a bold and emotional tenor
that it didn’t matter if it was in Italian, and the majority of
the audience were unfamiliar with most of the arias from operas
he performed. The passion came through with such force as to
bring tears to your eyes anyway.
Bocelli, a disciple of Luciano Pavarotti, spoke of the great
loss of his friend and dedicated his performance to the memory
of his mentor and sang "Nessum Dorma", Pavarotti’s signature
song. He said, “Tonight he is with us.” It was so beautiful and
heart felt. You could feel the love he put into that song.
And for
additional motivation for a magnificent performance, Bocelli
said he was performing for his personal hero and special guest
in the front row. To the audience’s surprise, Muhammad Ali,
former three-time World Heavyweight Champion stood up to wave.
As the camera came into focus on his face on the big screens, a
roar of applause filled the arena. Bocelli ended the concert
donning a pair of boxing gloves autographed by the Champ.
There
has been much criticism of this concert tour where most dates
are booked into large arenas or venues not particularly suited
to the esthetic sounds of opera. But they are the only places
large enough to accommodate the massive audiences who rush to
see this charismatic singer. Glendale’s Jobbing.com Arena was
no exception to the criticism depending on where you were
seated. On the floor near the stage sound and lighting were
pretty good. The only complaint was the cold. With ice under the
flooring it’s bound to be pretty chilly. On the upper levels the
concourse noise was surprisingly loud and freezing air from
doors open to the outside made the distractions pretty
annoying.
But the
voices and music were still incredibly amazing. The New West
Symphony Conducted by Maestro Steven Mercurio was perfection.
Mercurio opened with Verdi’s “Overture from I vespri siciliani”.
And for an arena, the sound system of the nearly new Glendale
arena is state of the art providing the best possible sound in
the cavernous area.
Bocelli
opened with "La donna e mobile" from Verdi's Rigoletto, which
has great popular appeal and is even familiar to non-opera
aficionados. Baritone Luis Ledesma joined Bocelli onstage in
the duet “In un coup” from Puccini’s La Boheme. Next Soprano
Daniela Bruera took the stage with Verdi's “Ah, Fors'e Lui,
Sempre Libera” from La Traviata. Bocelli joined on stage for
another aria from La Traviata “Brindisi”.
Maestro
Mercurio conducted “Intermezzo” from Manon Lescaut by Giacomo
Puccini.
Ledesma
returned with a beautifully intense performance of Puccini’s “Te
Deum” from Tosca. Bocelli followed with the famous aria from
Tosca’s violent conclusion “E Lucevan le
Stelle”. The first act was concluded with a rather long Madama
Butterfly’s “Viene la sera” with Bocelli and Bruera. The scenes
from the opera were played on a large screen behind the
orchestra. It was beautifully sung, but a little long for the
restless audience.
One
couple I spoke to said, “We were expecting a show with more "popera"
than opera.” The same was echoed by several others who knew
Bocelli more from his pop performances on PBS and on Pop radio
stations and television, than from his operatic career for which
he is celebrated the world over.
After
the Intermission they got their wish for some pop.
Mercurio opened the second act with “Overture from Russian and
Ludmilla” by composer Mikhail Glinka, often called the father of
Russian classical music.
Then
Bocelli gave the gift of his beautiful “Ave Maria” by Schubert,
followed by the sacred aria “Panis Angelicus” holding the final
note in a mood of veneration for a small eternity.
Daniela Bruera brought a bit of German opera to the stage with
“Meine Lippen, Sie Kussen So Heiss” from Franz Lehár's Giuditta.
“Musica Proibita”, “Aranjuez”, and “Mattinata” all by Bocelli
followed.
At this point Andrea returned to the stage wearing the white
jacket saying it was time for a change of pace. He played the
flute at the beginning of the “Melodramma”. Then Heather Headley
joined him on stage for “Canto della terre” and “The Prayer”.
The
finale was “Time to Say Goodbye” with Daniela Bruera. It
is considered Bocelli's signature song and what
was obviously what the audience wanted to hear from the
beginning. A long and appreciative standing ovation
followed.
I can
not say enough about Maestro Steven Mercurio and his devoted
attention and obvious friendship he bestows on Andrea leading
him onto stage and together delivering a most memorable
performance. Ticket Prices:
$81-$281
Bocelli
recently issued “The Best of Andrea Bocelli: Vivire”, his first
hits collection. It features his signature “Time to Say
Goodbye”. |
Review of COYOTE DREAMS: A VERY ARIZONA CHRISTMAS
By LeeAnn
Sharpe
It’s
amazing how much laughter 6 actors can bring into a room. That’s
just what happens when Darknight Productions “Coyote Dreams: A
VERY Arizona Christmas” is performed at Grimaldi’s Pizzaria in
Scottsdale or Arizona Broadway Theatre in Peoria. Attendance has
been so good, the show has been extended until January 5th at
the Encore Room at Arizona Broadway Theatre.
Husband
and wife team of playwright Alexx Stuart and director Diedre
Kaye relaunch their successful holiday show, “Coyote Dreams: A
VERY Arizona Christmas” about a Minnesota couple who contemplate
a move to Arizona. Alexx and Diedre are both from Minnesota, so
Alexx wrote 20 song parodies of popular carols to tell humorous
stories about Arizona from the perspective of newcomers.
The
laughs are non-stop with every aspect of Arizona covered. The
six actors take on various roles and take us on a journey around
the state. Stuart wrote some very creative lyrics to traditional
holiday tunes including, “Have Yourself a Tacky Tombstone
Christmas”, “Oh Little Town Built by Del Webb”, “Santa Baby”
sung by a jail bird inviting Sheriff Joe Arpaio to “come on down
to my cell tonight”. And Sun City seniors would enjoy "Silver
Hairs," to the tune of Silver Bells. Arizona students can
appreciate "All I Want for Christmas is No AIMS Testing." He
takes plenty of swings at Arizona sports as well.
The
intimate setting and abundant food and drink put the audience
into a jovial frame of mind and the laughter is so infectious
outsiders might think the room was tipsy. Not a dry eye is
simply the result of hilarious puns and cracks at familiar
institutions and personalities. Kaye and Stuart have this dinner
show routine fine tuned to a smooth running machine with every
moment falling perfectly into place. Music, dialogue, and food
all choreographed perfectly. They are more than writer and
director. They are the perfect hosts for a lovely evening.
Cast
include Barbara McGrath (Ahwatukee), Dan Stroud (Phoenix), Barb
Ellis (Tempe), Fernando Duran (Mesa), Denise Kelleher (Fountain
Hills), Wade Moran (Tempe).
Coyote
Dreams East - Grimaldi's in Old Town 4000 N. Scottsdale Road,
Scottsdale doors open at 6:30 PM December 8th, 22nd, 23rd & 27th
West-Encore Room at Arizona Broadway Theatre at 7701 W. Paradise
Lane, Peoria December 2nd, 9th and 30th For details, visit
www.darknightproductions.us or call 480-595-7346. Tickets
for dinner, show and gratuity are $41.25 plus tax. Reservations
are required.
|
Review of
Ballet Arizona The
Nutcracker
By LeeAnn
Sharpe
It
has been a holiday tradition to go see the Nutcracker. So year
after year I go and enjoy it immensely. This year was extra
special. I was privileged to introduce my niece Stephanie to her
first ballet and what is more perfect for a young girl than the
Nutcracker.
Opening
night was cold and rain made driving treacherous. Downtown
traffic was in gridlock as every venue seemed to have major
events. Parking seemed impossible and we found what may have
been the last parking spot in the city! The downtown was
sparkling with colors and lights reflected in the rain, limos
and cabs unloaded gloriously garbed men and women along with
young boys and girls in party dresses and suits. Umbrellas
bumped as the crowds moved briskly to various destinations.
Honks and traffic cops whistles above the traffic noise
completed the picture of a big city at full throttle. You could
as easily been in London or New York. Phoenix has truly become a
big city, although perhaps on a smaller scale.
But the
scale of this production of the Nutcracker is anything but
small. A spectacular world is created with such beauty and
imagination it brings tears to the eye. The mastery of design
and execution is flawless. From director to dancers this
production is the finest that can be found anywhere in the
world.
Ib
Andersen has once again chosen a team of top designers from
throughout the theater world to create a magical, grand-scale
Nutcracker exploding with holiday charm and wonder.
Choreographed by Ib Andersen , Set Design by Carey Wong and Ib
Andersen, Costume Design by Fabio Toblini, and Lighting Design
by Michael Korsch, the best found anywhere.
The lavish
new sets and magnificent costumes from around the world make
this magical holiday event such a joy. And the talent of these
dancers is so incredible to watch. The leaps and lifts and
twirls make your head spin.
The
costumes of Herr and Frau von Stahlbaum and their children,
Clara and Fritz and their party guests are more realistic of
German families of the era. They provide a stronger contrast
with the colorful costumes of Clara’s dreams. There are 260
costumes in The Nutcracker, requiring more than 6,500 yards of
fabric. The costumes were created in 17 shops across America,
including Ballet Arizona’s, with final assembly by Ballet
Arizona’s costume shop personnel. During the run of the show
Ballet Arizona dancers will use up to 300 pairs of pointe shoes.
Most pairs of shoes last one performance. The budget for pointe
shoes for December alone is $45,000.
The set
design and transformation as the Christmas tree grows gigantic
and the furniture disappears, leaving a huge, empty room that
will soon become a battleground for an army of toy soldiers is
magical. More than 100,000 Austrian Swarovski crystals were used
to create the Snow scene. The production uses 25 different
backdrops.
My niece
gasped and then giggled as all the mice in the house have grown
to enormous size. Costume designer Toblini didn’t want the mice
to be too cute, so he modeled them after New York City subway
rats. The Mouse King is 9 feet tall without his crown.
When the
Nutcracker is revealed to be a prince who gives Clara a crown,
the fantasy of every young girl is born. The Snow Queen and King
and a magical journey to the Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy plant
the seed of beautiful dreams. The dancers among the falling snow
and twinkling stars transport you to a place where you wonder am
I dreaming or is this real?
As always
the music of the Phoenix Symphony is perfect. I
was shocked to learn my niece’s elementary school’s limited
music program does not teach Tchaikovsky, but they do learn rap
and hip hop. That’s all the more reason to expose the next
generation to as much classical music as possible.
Ib
Andersen’s The Nutcracker cost $1.8 million to create, involving
more than 300 people. The production was made possible with a
$1.3 million grant from the Sybil B. Harrington Trust. Revenue
from The Nutcracker accounts for 30 percent of Ballet Arizona’s
annual income with ticket sales of more than 50,000 seats.
Once again
Ballet Arizona has brought talent and inspiration to create a
production of such beauty it will stay in your heart forever. To
this day I can recall the Nutcrackers I saw as a child, and this
one seems to have grown to a much more sophisticated and
beautiful place. You really must see this exquisite ballet. It
will fill your soul with the magic and beauty that should be
Christmas.
|
“Local
Color” Movie Review
By LeeAnn Sharpe
“Local Color touched my
heart!” is a quote heard often from audiences in Scottsdale’s
previewing of this beautiful movie in limited release at the
Harkins Camelview 5 this weekend.
Director/Writer George
Gallo says the film is autobiographical and a personal passion
project that he had to do even when the big financial backers
dropped out and he had to mortgage his home to get it done.
Gallo knows how make a film
with plenty of successful films in his resume including “Wise
Guys” and “Midnight Run”. His recent projects include the soon
to be released “My Mom’s New Boyfriend” with Meg Ryan and
Antonio Banderas.
“Local Color” is the story
of a young painter John Talia, Jr.
(Trevor Morgan) finding a mentor in an
elderly Russian master
Nicholi Seroff (Armin Mueller-Stahl)
living in his New York town in 1974. Frame Shop owner
Yammi (Charles Durning) helps
instigate an introduction with the vodka guzzling artist who has
blocked out the world. Against the
wishes of his overbearing homophobic father, John Talia, Sr.
(Ray Liotta), John runs off for a summer in the country
to learn the artist’s techniques, but the cantankerous alcoholic
artist ends up teaching him more about life than painting. The
imagery is a feast for the soul with beautiful landscapes and
vibrant paintings.
Nicholi Seroff's wisdom and concern about the direction of art
in the world is discussed in long dinner conversations with
art critic Curtis Sunday (Ron Perlman)
and his wife Sandra (Julie Lott), where Seroff’s colorful
dialogue is punctuated with an abundance of profanity, true to
the personality of the artist. The use of the “F” word earned
the film an “R” rating, even though there is absolutely no
violence, sex or nudity. Gallo said he couldn’t whitewash his
character’s language anymore than he did without losing the
essence of the man.
Carla (Samantha Mathis) is a beautiful young woman and neighbor
friend of Seroff’s who awakens passion in young John. Knowing
Seroff is jealous of the attention, John engages her in the
purest of big screen romances and earns the scorn of his mentor
at the end of the summer. Still they end up each learning from
the other and all the better for the passion ignited. John sees
the world through the eyes of the master, and the master sees
the world through the eyes of innocence once again.
Gallo
spoke to the audience after a local screening and told how
important it was he make this film, and make it his way, because
it’s the story of his own youth and the mentor who guided him in
his dreams. Working without major studio support, taking out
loans against his home, as well as several producers doing the
same, he managed to create a poignantly moving portrait of a
glimpse of a moment in his life that many of us experience when
inspiration takes hold and sets the course of your life. Gallo
shot the entire film in only 18 days, in what he called keystone
cops shooting technique, setting up and tearing down lights and
cameras so fast as to be ridiculous. But he got it done and the
end product defies you to find where he cut corners. The top
notch cast and beautiful score, by Academy Award nominated
composer Chris Boardman, accent this masterpiece of film making.
As a young man, Gallo
attended college as a Graphic Arts major.
After seeing Martin Scorsese's film “Mean
Streets”, he was inspired to become a Film major instead. When
the school informed him that he couldn't switch majors without
repeating his first year's studies, he decided to drop out and
ended up writing his first film, “Wise
Guys”.
Gallo was quoted as
saying, "Eventually, I came to understand that all of the arts
are intertwined. That composition in painting is the same as
structure in storytelling; that characters are the same as
colors; that colors are the same as chords in music."
Armin Mueller-Stahl came out of retirement for his portrayal of
Nicholi Seroff. He
received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his
performance in “Shine” (1996) and more recently had appeared in
four episode of The West Wing. Much has been made of Seroff’s
use of profanity in “Local Color” but
Mueller-Stahl made it a
natural part of the foul mouthed artist’s personality, to the
extent it was no longer profane, but simply the way he spoke.
We’ve all known people cut from this cloth, especially old men
who have been through much horror and have limited ability to
express themselves and their frustration through language. They
generally ask to be excused when speaking in the presence of
ladies, but Seroff’s frustration with life has reduced his
attention social niceties to nil. Gallo was brilliant to cast
Mueller-Stahl in this role. The accent, the facial expressions,
the body language, all spoke of this old man’s frustration with
life. And Mueller-Stahl is a painter. Bravo for a wonderful job
in painting this character.
Trevor Morgan wasn’t the first choice for the role of John
Talia, Jr. Gallo’s wife Julie Lott explained how their first
choice had a conflict and Trevor Morgan fell into his place. It
was the best thing to happen because he was perfect. With years
of acting experience since the age of six, the 21-year old actor
was especially good in expressing fear when his homophobic
father’s predictions haunted him as the old man opens his
bedroom door to check in. Morgan was an excellent choice. The
big movie studios wanted a sex scene added to the romance but
Gallo insisted in real life it had only been a kiss and that was
what he wanted in the story. Morgan made that kiss express more
than any sex scene.
Ray Liotta as John Talia, Sr. provided the humor and quirkiness
we all see in our own families. He’s a loving father and husband
trying to hold on to a son ready to fly the nest. Liotta brings
his usual professionalism to the role and gives us the chance to
hate him and love him. It didn’t hurt that he was a family
friend who actually knew Gallo’s father.
Samantha
Mathis as Carla took the character right where she belonged, as
the fuel to the fire that ignited between Nicoli and John.
Mathis has acted since the age of three, (daughter of actress
Bibi Besch). Mathis was quoted, “During the kissing scene it
started to rain, which was perfect. And during the raining scene
we were using hoses to simulate rain - and it started raining
for real. It was as if God was saying, "Make this film." I loved
the experience of working on the film and all the collaboration
and encouragement. Gallo was open to suggestions and that sort
of enthusiasm makes everyone want to work for him.”
The film won a Director's Choice Award at the Sedona Film
Festival. That’s where the connection to Harkin’s came into
play. “It's a true story,” Dan Harkins says. “We ran to each
other in slow motion. We made a film deal in front of a full
theater. My children loved the film and wanted to see it again.”
The limited release at Harkins has been a big success.
A
week after production wrapped, most of the locations used in the
film were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
Idealism
created an impressive piece of work with its heart in the
right place. It will touch your heart, mind and soul with a
shared experience of anyone with a passion.
### |
Movin' Out
By LeeAnn Sharpe
First you take the music
of Billy Joel, which is so woven into the American landscape
it’s imbedded deep into your memory, as a fan or not. Then you
take the talent of Twyla Tharp who conceived, directed, and
choreographed “Movin' Out”, for which she
won the 2003 Tony Award. Next a voice that takes
Joel’s lyrics and music into a storyline with emotion. Finally,
add the energy of a troupe of young dancers who seem to float
and fly across the stage, using their bodies to tell the story.
It’s a magical combination that had the audience captivated and
cheering super human feats of endurance on Opening Night of “Movin'
Out” at Sun City’s Maricopa County Event Center.
“Movin' Out”
isn’t a musical in the sense that there are not actors speaking
roles, but dancers, dancing to the music telling the story.
There are characters and a story line which tells the story of
five friends coming of age over three decades from the 60’s to
the 80’s. And there's live music with an incredible band singing
about 30 Billy Joel songs. “Movin' Out” is more a ballet,
an extraordinary dance, rock, theatre infusion, thoroughly
entertaining.
The dancing is non-stop
and amazingly energetic for nearly two hours. The incredible
energy, especially Eddie
(Drew
Heflin) and Tony (John Corsa), are like the energizer
bunnies doing unbelievable feats of gymnastics, jumps, spins and
lifts. These are superhuman dancers! “Movin' Out” has
definitely been well cast with incredible talent.
Given an amazing catalog
of music from Joel, the band took it to new heights with an
inspired sax and the fabulous voice of
Kyle Martin.
The only fault I can find
is in the lighting throwing maximum wattage into the eyes of the
audience, blinding this recent cataract removed reviewer into
painful squinting to see several times, especially in the
opening scene. My companion also commented he wished the
lighting hadn’t been so extreme. The theatre also seemed to echo
and on more than one occasion I turned around to see who was
singing in the back of the theatre a step behind.
The storyline follows five
characters from their 1960’s high school graduation, love found
and lost, becoming soldiers, off the Vietnam where James dies in
battle, the sadness of a soldiers funeral and the girlfriend
left to mourn, the pain of vets readjusting to life at home, the
nightmare of war haunting them, a drunken brawl, and finally
their reunion years later. Read the plot synopsis in the
Playbill, as there’s almost no spoken dialogue to help you
follow the story and characters.
The long legs of Tony
(John Corsa) in Scene 2: Tony Move Out, caught my attention and
his legs and leaps kept me captivated throughout. Especially in
Scene 10, when he danced to “Shameless” with Brenda (Amanda
Kay). The sweetly sentimental pair of James (Eric Bourne) and
Judy (Karolina Blonski) were delightful as they danced Scene 3:
James and Judy are Forever to “Just the Way Your Are.” It wasn’t
until Act II that Eddie (Drew Heflin), came
to the forefront with his amazing gymnastic feats at an
unbelievable pace that had the audience applauding during
several numbers. How does he keep it up night after night?
Actually there are 4 dancers in the program who take turns on
different nights as Eddie.
The real star is the Piano
Man Lead Vocalist Kyle Martin who gave voice to
every scene almost non-stop. What stamina to sing at such a
level emoting feeling and enthusiasm to propel the dancers and
storyline forward for almost two hours. His voice is comfortable
and embracing, with full definition of every word as it must to
make the story understood. He has a beautiful voice that brings
everything required to make this show a great success. The rest
of the band is excellent with kudos to the sax men Tim McNamara
and John Isley.
“Movin' Out”
is entertaining and musically satisfying leaving the audience
uplifted and wishing they could bottle some of that energy! Movin'
Out ran for 1331 performances on Broadway.
Movin' Out
ran two
days - three shows at the Maricopa County Events Center, one night at the
Orpheum Theatre in downtown Phoenix and has shows scheduled for
Oct 30th & 31st at the Mesa Arts Center.
Be sure to check it out!
____________________________________________________________ |
Starlight
Community Theater Honored with ZONI Nomination
Anthem’s Sherry Henderson Receives Prestigious Nomination
Starlight Community Theatre’s Director of Choreography, Sherry
Henderson, has been nominated for an ariZoni Theatre Award of
Excellence (ZONI) for her choreography of Starlight’s production
of “High School Musical” last February. Nominees were just
announced, and the final winners will be named in September.
“I am very
excited to be nominated,” said Henderson. “It makes me proud
when choreographers are recognized for their hard work,
especially when we are having a blast doing it.”
Henderson,
an Anthem resident and original Starlight Board Member, is
currently choreographing her seventh Starlight production,
“Fiddler On The Roof”, which opens in September. A veteran of
the stage, Henderson started her career at the age of seven in
the Broadway production of “Annie”. This was followed with
musicals such as “42nd Street”, the “King and I”, and the
“Wizard of Oz”. She has performed at Radio City Music Hall with
Liza Minnelli and toured the U.S. and Europe with her show
“Steppin’ Out”. She has been teaching dance and choreographing
for over 17 years, and is currently teaching at Anthem’s Dynamic
Motion Dance Academy.
Story Continues
____________________________________________________________
West
Valley Arts are Shining Bright!
After years of people thinking they had to go elsewhere for
great entertainment, theaters in the West Valley are shining
bright after receiving the results of the ZONI nominations last
Tuesday.
Story Continues
___________________________________________________________________________________________ |
|
Theater Works 4 YOUth Auditions
*All TWY productions are ages 8 and up unless stated otherwise.
Auditions will be from cold readings of the script unless stated
otherwise.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Theater Works Black
Box Stage) Original book by Roald Dahl Adapted by Richard R.
George
Auditions:
August
11th at 10am, Show Dates: October 12th, 2007 through October
28th A Charlie Brown Christmas (Theater Works
Black Box Stage) Book by Charles M. Schulz, based on his Emmy
and Peabody Award-winning television special. Music by Vince
Guaraldi
Auditions:
October 8th and 9th at 7pm, Show Dates: November 30th through
December 16th, 2007 Life As Joby (Theater
Works Black Box Stage) Written by Jim Gradillas
Auditions:
December 3rd at 6pm (Ages 12 and up), Show Dates: January 11th
through January 27th, 2008 Bridge to Terebethia
(Theater Works Black Box Stage) Katherine Paterson and
Stephanie S. Tolan Music by Steve Liebman. Auditions:
February 11th and 12th
at 7pm Peter Pan (Theater Works Main Stage)
Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Music by
Mark Charlap and Jule Styne.
Auditions:
March 15th at 10am and 18th at 1:30pm, Show Dates: MAIN STAGE
May 2nd through May 25th, 2008. School performances: May 7th and
14th, 2008
Performance Troupes
They will rehearse and train every week and perform monthly at
the theatre, libraries, events and serve to outreach in the
community! Auditions are
August 18th, 2007
from 10am to 1pm For information call Theater Works,
Robin Austin, Publicity Manager 623-687-6677 or Peoria Center
for the Performing Arts 8355 W. Peoria Ave., Peoria, AZ 85345.
Call 623-815-7930 for the Theater Works Box Office tickets now
available online at
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Theatre
Review
"Midlife Madness" a play by Jennifer
Kirkeby
Produced by Darknight Productions at
Peoria Center for the Performing
Arts
By LeeAnn Sharpe
Don't miss the last chance for
“Midlife Madness” a play by
Jennifer Kirkeby closing it's
curtain Sunday, May 20th
at Peoria Center for the Performing
Arts. It’s a delightful little
company in an intimate new venue. It
delivers just what’s expected and
more on the topic of midlife
madness. The “more” is the
relationships with good friends and
the hilarity they can bring to
life.
Director Diedre Kaye selected the
play to co-produce with her husband
and Darknight Productions partner,
Alexx Stuart. The first
thought on my mind was where to
park. Having never been to the
Peoria Center for the Performing
Arts, but I drive by there
frequently on my way to the 101 I
didn’t remember seeing any parking.
When I arrived I was pleasantly
surprised to find plenty of parking
around the city park area to the
south, adjacent to the theatre. As I
parked, a courtesy shuttle arrived
to deliver me to the theatre curb.
What a nice treat.
Peoria Center for the Performing
Arts brand new multi-theater
performing arts building is a
delightful design by Westlake Reed
Leskosky with a “craggy copper clad
roof hovering above a base of
masonry which evokes the color and
forms of the desert basin and
distant mountains” or so says their
website. The complex features 250
seat and 80 seat theaters with
support spaces as well as exhibition
and educational spaces. The design
and experience was very pleasant.
Inside the brand new facility was a
crisp clean cool functional design.
It’s a blank pallet for artists to
create their art. I stood on line at
will call to learn there were
actually four productions going on
in the same facility that evening.
Darknight Productions performance of
“Midlife Madness” was in a small
theatre on the south side of the
larger theatre where another
company, Theatre Works, was
performing “The Miracle Worker”.
Two other small productions were in
theatres on the north side. The
snack bar, although limited in
selections, was very economically
priced.
“Midlife Madness”
author Jennifer Kirkeby of Minnesota
attended the
production opening, but was not at
the Peoria Center for the Performing
Arts as the production finished it’s
run. Diedre Kaye says, “Jennifer and
I have been friends for years and
used to perform together in
Minneapolis. When I read the
script, I knew I wanted to be the
first to produce and direct it. The
relationships in this play are so
special and so reminiscent of the
times we had together in theater in
Minneapolis. I was thrilled when
Jen gave us permission to do the
world premiere.”
The playwright admits the play is
somewhat autobiographical when she
responded to audience questions
following the opening night
performance. “Yes, many of the
stories are true – except I never
had an affair with a Mime.” And
now, according to Kaye, she can
claim another piece of the story is
true. The lead character and
playwright in the story, Susan,
(played by Jenny Mulcahy) gets a
review of her new play “Midlife”
that says, “The audience loved it.
They laughed, they cried, they
bought the t-shirt.” Except for
buying the t-shirt (there were
none), the same was true for the
audiences of Kirkeby’s newest play
which premiered May 11th.
At the center of this production is
Susan, played by Jenny Mulcahy, the
midlife single woman always on the
prowl for men. Her apartment is the
primary set where the stories
unfold. Susan has the beautiful sun
tanned glow, and low cut breast
accentuating wardrobe of the looking
for love, (but not so much
commitment) women you can find in
any bar or gym in town. Mulcahy
plays the role well in a happy,
almost giddy light hearted style
that makes us warm to her even in
her most obviously self-centered
moments. Like the wine Susan drinks
constantly, her dry wit flows
through the script arousing
everything from snickers and mild
chuckles to belly laughs, and “oh my
god I’m gonna pee my pants!” from
the audience. The only criticism I
can lay on Mulcahy’s feet, or
actually on her breasts, is the
makeup line fell far short in the
final scene gown, creating a very
distracting glow under the bright
lights. The secret is out, you’re
not really that
tan! Not to worry, the performance
was wonderfully entertaining.
Trish, played by Alaina Beauloye,
and Susan are best friends who find
their way through new and old
relationships as they reconfirm
their unconditional love for each
other. Trish is the straight man to
Susan’s delivery of hilarious lines.
It’s hard being the straight man and
getting the timing and tone just
right and Beaulove has a great sense
and connection for delivery with
Mulcahy. As the married and
unappreciated wife and mother, she
hits midlife looking for more and
finds it in a fling with a mime from
her daughter’s birthday party who
showers her with passion and
admiration. A gorgeous blonde,
Beaulove plays Trish as vulnerable
and easy prey for a conman. Betrayed
when her best friend writes about
her secret extramarital affair, she
quickly overcomes the hurt to engage
in the infectious laughter they
generate as they retell their
stories of performing together
blended with the trials of growing
older that keeps the audience
laughing with them.
Especially enjoyable was Rick
played by Tom Koelbel. Rick’s recent
breakup with his lover Mark caused
him to search for emotional support
through Performance Art (his warm
ups are precious!) and his friends
Susan and Trish. It’s as much fun
watching the girls watch Rick
perform as it is to watch him. Koelbel’s
stage presence is so strong from the
first moment he appeared it seemed
he might overwhelm the rest of the
cast, but he tones his character to
“play well with others”. An amusing
unsolicited review came in the
restroom during intermission when a
woman told me, “You know he’s not
really gay!” I responded, “Oh
really?” And she said, “He just
plays it so well!” There you have
it!Koelbel has talent and I’m sure
he could play most any role well. He
is exceptionally entertaining and
enjoyable in this production.
The fine troupe of actors is
rounded out by Rolando Zee’s ability
to create two distinctly different
characters as Ross, the personal
trainer at the girl’s gym, and
Milton, who has the steamy affair
with Trish. Zee’s stage, film and
modeling credits are impressive as
is his incredible physique. For much
of the production his character is
little more than eye candy. But the
few lines and two characters he
portrays demonstrate he has acting
talent as well. The gym scene was
great. How to be a crazed hold up
man while two women are doing a
hysterical comedy act is tough. But
Zee pulled it off and took the fall
as well as any professional stunt
man. He will certainly have a long
and successful career in acting.
Music was from Lisa Koch CD’s “Tall
Cool Drink and Both of Me” available
online at
www.heylisa.com. Director Deidre
Kaye says, “Her music fit perfectly
into the storyline.” Menopausal
women will love her lyrics.
So if you missed this delightful
production you will want to mark
your calendar for the next show by
Darknight Productions to be held
in old town Scottsdale beginning
next October. You can see a preview
on June 14th - Murder
at Savings & Loan Ballpark (s.lo.b.)by
Alexx Stuart. It’s a parody of the
Diamondbacks and baseball in
general. The location is Grimaldi's
Pizzeria at 4000 Scottsdale Road
(southwest corner of First Avenue
and Scottsdale Rd.) It promises to
be great food and a very funny show!
Tickets are $40 and include play,
dinner (4 courses) tax and gratuity.
Grimaldi's was just voted "Best
pizza in the valley that isn't
Bianco".
For
more information or tickets see:
http://darknightproductions.tripod.com/
or call
480-595-7346.
Photos: Top- The cast and playwright
of Midlife Madness greeted
the audience following opening
weekend performances.
2nd
– Playwright Jennifer Kirkeby and
Director Diedre Kaye relax on the
set of Midlife Madness prior
to it’s world premiere on May 11th,
2007.
Susan and Trish at the gym – Alaina
Beauloye as Trish watches
Susan (Jenny Mulcahy) avoid
exercising.
Opening night of Midlife –
Best friends celebrate the opening
night of Susan’s (played by Jenny
Mulcahy) first play. Left to right:
Jenny Mulcahy, Tom Koelbel, Rolando
Zee, Alaina Beauloye.
This article was printed in the May
2007 issue of Panorama
and distributed to 25,000 readers in
the greater Phoenix North Valley. It
remains in the
www.azphm.com Archives for years
to come. This builds traffic to the
theatre's website listed online. The
best advertising is continued
exposure.
To have your next production
reviewed email
webmaster@azphm.com or call
602-565-5785.
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Local Children and The
Nutcracker
Ballet Arizona presents one of the most elaborate
productions of The Nutcracker---enlisting the help of over 100 young
students of not only The School of Ballet Arizona, but from kids
across the far reaches of the Valley. Every
year, there are auditions held at Ballet Arizona to cast the parts
of Clara, Fritz, and an array of youth roles in The Nutcracker. Just
the thought of performing on stage at Symphony Hall surrounded by
talented company dancers is enough to excite any child. This is one
of the many reasons why this show is such a family favorite.
Among these talented children is a
group of 21 students from Clarendon Elementary School, who are
members of Osborn School District’s after-school Ballet Program.
This tuition-free program, launched in2003, is headed by Camden
Lloyd, former School of Ballet Arizona teacher. Lloyd’s vision is to
give young students a chance to explore and pursue their ballet
ambitions while learning the cultural and professional aspects of
the art. According to Lloyd, in the Ballet Program, kids must
maintain their academics and demonstrate “stellar responsibility” in
order to earn the privilege to audition for The Nutcracker. Lloyd
believes that children of all backgrounds deserve a chance to learn
and excel at ballet and says “Ballet Arizona offers that chance”
through open auditions for The Nutcracker and extensivecommunity
outreach programs. There are three casts of children ages 9-16,
assigned to perform throughout the 21-show schedule this holiday
season. Parents are invited to volunteer backstage, to chaperone as
well as help the kids with make-up and costume changes. For each
performance, stage manager Mandy Brommel gives about a dozen parent
volunteers backstage access and photo IDs.
With so much opportunity to shine in
this full-length and kid-friendly production, the youth are
centerstage. Roles include Clara, the star of The Nutcracker, who
dreams of giant mice and The Sugar Plum Fairy; as well as her
brother Fritz, Drosselmeyer’s prince, party boys and girls, toy
soldiers, angels, and Mother Ginger’s children.Not only is The
Nutcracker one of the most imaginative and exciting shows for
children to perform, it is also amazing to see. Every season, in
addition to our community outreach program Angel Night, Ballet
Arizona presents Student Matinees, in which schools and other youth
organizations visit Symphony Hall to view these performances. The
2008 Student Matinee performances are December 17, and 18; tickets
are always in high-demand, selling for only $4 per student. Teachers
are offered an in-depth study guide for their students to prepare
them for the magical holiday tale. This year’s Angel Night and
Student Matinee performances are expected to turn out a full-house
at Phoenix Symphony Hall. Keeping with the spirit of family fun and
community youth outreach, Ballet Arizona is dedicated to making The
Nutcracker the most enchanting, and enjoyable experience in the
Valley. Before every show, a special guest reads the story of The
Nutcracker, and kids can also enter in the Guest Soldier drawing,
for a chance to appear on stage in the first act of the show. Ballet
Arizona is proud to have so many Arizona children perform, attend,
and delight in this celebration of holiday magic and imagination.
The Nutcracker opens this Friday, December 12 th
at 7:30 pm!
Ballet
Arizona Ib Andersen’s The Nutcracker Phoenix Symphony Hall December
12-28, 2008 TICKETS/ INFO:Available at Ballet Arizona Box Office602-
381- 1096
www.balletaz.org 3645 E. Indian School Rd Phoenix,
AZ 85018
www.ticketmaster.com/baz
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